BY ARMSTRONG VAZ
What makes Chef Khabir Moraes from Cuncolim in South Goa stand out in a crowd when he is at home on a break from his sailing duties?
The answer to that question is long. Taking up social causes, diving deep into traditional food to share some mouth-watering recipes on social media, writing lyrics with a strong social message and singing them, all these mean a lot Khabir as they keep his adrenalin flow at the highest level.
Yet, that’s not all that keeps him busy in Goa. He is also raising the bar with cocktails and mocktails, besides championing the cause of ‘vocal for local’ in terms of local fruits, vegetables, local artisans and daily wage workers.
Khabir's main focus is social activism, which consumes the majority of his time. His top priority is to promote a green and clean Goa, and he also nurtures the dream of making Goa free of garbage.
Garbage on every street corner has been a source of concern for him, and he has taken action in his unique way, whether it be creating videos or singing a song with a meaningful message that resonates with people from all backgrounds. His effective use of social media has yielded remarkable results, particularly among the younger population.
“When kids enjoy my songs and they correct their parents about cleanliness, it gives me extra motivation,” said the Cuncolim-based Khabir, who, till date, has 13 songs to his credit, some of which carry a strong social awareness message.
Even during his vacation in Goa, the chef takes time out to constantly highlight the deficiencies of the government and local self-governing bodies. He wastes no time and immediately starts addressing various problems, pushing the authorities to take action and resolve the issues.
Upon arriving in Goa from the Arctic Ocean, he immediately raised concerns about two issues: the open rainwater drainages near Cuncolim Church, which is surrounded by three school campuses, and the road digging being undertaken by the Goa Electricity Department in order to lay underground cables.
“I am happy that Cuncolim municipality has closed the open drain with cement slabs near the schools,” said Khabir.
He, along with social activist Shukla Keni, took up the issue of road digging by Electricity Department with the South Goa Collector. Their efforts bore fruit as the Collector's office issued directions to the department concerned to take action in the matter.
In recent weeks, he has also addressed the problem of unauthorised soil excavation near the Solid Waste Management Plant in the Cuncolim Industrial Estate. He has brought attention to the condition of the plant itself, the issue of water accumulation in the basement of the Rs 9 crore Cuncolim commercial building, and the inadequate water supply in the toilets within the same complex.
He emphasises that it is not enough to simply bring attention to an issue through social media, but found a solution to it. Khabir believes that assistance is needed from individuals in positions of power, such as those in the administration and elected representatives, as well as from ordinary citizens. By working together, he feels, issues can be resolved and prevented from recurring.
Khabir’s guns are now trained on two issues – the non-functioning solar panels placed on the twin buildings of Cuncolim municipality, Municipal Community Hall, and Municipal Fish Market, and garbage at Takaband bridge.
“The garbage problem in Takaband is perennial and has been troubling the local residents for several years. The issue needs urgent attention of the local representatives and residents,” says Khabir in his video released this week.
Khabir blames the migrants living in rented rooms in and around Takaband, which is a kilometre away from Cuncolim Industrial Estate, for littering and dumping garbage in the rivulet which winds up in the River Sal
Khabir blames the migrants living in rented rooms in and around Takaband, which is a kilometre away from Cuncolim Industrial Estate, for littering and dumping of garbage in the rivulet which winds up in the River Sal. He has urged the local councillor to call for a meeting of people concerned and sort out the issue.
Regarding the non-functioning solar panels, Khabir says he is trying to get in touch with people who matter and gather more information so that they can be put to fruitful use.
